Waqar Younis in line to be next Pakistan coach

Pakistan‘s former captain Waqar Younis is emerging as a strong candidate to be reappointed as the national team coach, following some unimpressive performances under Dav Whatmore.

Waqar, who resigned from his coaching position with the Pakistan team in September, 2011 due to personal reasons, has been to Lahore on a private visit and a well-informed source said he had discussed with Paksitan Cricket Board (PCB) officials his future plans.

“What is also very clear is that neither the board nor majority of the players want Australian Dav Whatmore to continue as head coach when his two-year contract expires in March, 2014,” the source said.

He said that even captain, Misbah-ul-Haq had conveyed his feelings to the board and was in favour of having Younis back as coach.

How popular the former fast bowler is with some of the senior players in the national team was evident last night when during a show on Geo Super channel, senior players Saeed Ajmal and Abdul Rehman and even bowling coach, Mohammad Akram praised Younis for his coaching skills.

Ajmal, infact, created quite a controversy when he was asked what was the difference between having a local coach and a foreign and he replied tongue-in-cheek: “There is no difference except that he [Whatmore] is paid more.”

Ajmal’s comments were picked up by the international and national media, which said his comments indicated the players were not satisfied with Whatmore.

Ajmal went onto add that Younis had worked well with the boys and laid a lot of stress on their fitness.

“Waqar bhai used to say that 80 percent of a player’s performance is related to his being fit. He was very straightforward and let any player know when he was not performing or not working hard enough,” Ajmal said.

Rehman echoed similar feelings and said that Younis had done a good job.

First Published on October 2, 2013, 11:20 pmLast updated on October 2, 2013, 11:20 pm